The "Top of Europe" Part 2

About mid-morning we decided that we had been so blessed with wonderful weather that we would take a series of trains and lifts on the opposite side of the Lauterbrunnen Valley to the top of the Jungfrau, which is billed as the “top of Europe”. While walking through the village of Murren on our way to the next lift, we spotted a Saint Bernard in posing position for passers-by. Our Swiss experience can not be more perfect…now a Saint Bernard. (This one must have been a tee-totaler, because you see no keg on his collar!) Also in Murren we viewed the Eiger mountain with some fireweed in the foreground. Those of you who have been to Alaska are familiar with fireweed. I am not sure what they call it here, but it is the same thing, and very striking.

The train ride to the top offered spectacular scenery and we watched numerous hikers also taking advantage of the wonderful weather. The Swiss are very serious about their hiking. There are many trails in this area. Some are difficult, but many are easy, some even all downhill. The trails are wide, well-maintained, and many are even paved with benches here and there for sitting and viewing. Also, hikers are allowed to cross a pasture or private lands as hikers have the right-of-way here!

At one point while ascending the Jungfrau we switched to what Olen referred to as “some serious cog train” with deep cogs. It was a smooth ride and partially a tunnel through the Monch mountain. Once on top we were welcomed to the highest train station in Europe, at 10,360 feet of elevation. The views from the top at what they call the Sphinx Observatory, were in fact what one would expect from a place called the “top of Europe”.

We re-traced our steps down the mountain, across the Lauterbrunnen Valley and back up to Gimmelwald. It was a little after 7:30 when we showed up for dinner…and Walter expects punctuality! We visited with another couple who are staying at Walter’s, and enjoyed the visit and the evening.

However, we are tired tonight, but so thankful we had such wonderful weather today, and we hope you each had a wonderful, sunny day full of great memories.